This week Elise sent me an excellent question on historical projects that can be made with little fabric. You know… The 1/2 to 2 yard pieces left over from other projects or the beautiful fabric you had to buy (and did so before you knew how much a period costume would actually use). To Elise, Read More...
Category: Fabrics & Trims
Fabrics to Make Pretty Petticoats
Petticoats are those undergarments that invoke romantic notions, feelings of nostalgia, and visions of swirling colors from Oklahoma! If you’ve followed me for even a bit, you know I strongly support the wearing of petticoats. First, for historical costuming they provide much needed under-structure to support the silhouette; second, they are one of the easiest Read More...
The Autumn Dress Fabrics, The Delineator, October 1902
THE AUTUMN DRESS FABRICS WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN ACTUAL SIZE, OF NEW DESIGNS IN FANCY VELVETS, AND VELVET CORD This 2-page article was featured on pages 546 & 547 of the October 1902, The Delineator magazine. Just think! Our great grandmothers were pouring over these fabric & color hints to get the latest news of Read More...
Fabrics for Undergarments
I don’t know about you but I want to be comfortable when wearing my historical clothing. Right? And it all starts with what kind of fabric you have closest to your skin. Whenever beginning a wardrobe for a new time period, or even if you are just starting to make historical costumes, having a comfy Read More...
How to Use a Fabric Conversion Chart
Ever find a beautiful fabric and it’s a wide 60″ but your pattern only lists yardage amounts for using 45″ fabric? Yeah, me too. It happens often. And what about if it’s reversed – a pattern requiring 60″ fabric but you have THE material for the project in 40″? Well… that gets more complicated. You’d Read More...
How to Calculate Yardage for Ruffles
Ruffles are SO Victorian! You see them on so many skirts from the 1830s all the way through the early 1880s. But how do you figure how much fabric you’ll need for these fluffy strips of trim? 1 yard? 5 yards? Here is the easy formula for you… Read More...
Cotton Fabrics for Bustle Foundation Skirts
Do you love cotton? You already know I do. In fact, many of my costumes get their start from a cotton textile and my historical garments have at least one cotton material in them. This is true for all of them – especially those poufy bustles of the 1870s and 80s. The base for all Read More...
Techniques for Easier Pleating in 19th Century Costuming
Have you noticed all the pleating in historical clothing? You can find various pleats on bodices, sleeves, jackets, dresses, skirts, waistbands, undergarments, petticoats, coats, cloaks, trims and so many other articles. Taking the time to put a pleated element into your 19th Century costume can take it from good to jazzy! Read More...